Pinar
del Rio is the most Cuban´s west province and it is virtually surrounded
by the blue, warm and affectionate sea. It´s diverse geography, where
we can find mountains and valleys, make from this spectacular region
an ideal place for the people who love the nature. The characteristic
of this province are the Mogotes of Sierra de los Organos, which can
not be appreciate in any other region in Cuba and in only few places
in the world; combine with Viñales Valley a place of an impressive beauty
and the Rosario mountain range, a Biosphere World Reservation, where
we can find the "Guajaibon Bread" (699 meters on the sea level), the
highest point in the Cuban west region. Between the mountains we can
find the named "holes", little
spaces of fertile earth where the world's finest black tobacco leaf
is grown.

The tobacco leaves from Pinar del Rio are very important in the manufacturing of the most famous cuban cigars, for example, Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta.

Your last Municipalities Candelaria, Bahía Honda and San Cristobal are Municipalities of the new Province of Artemisa

The
City of Pinar del Rio is the provintial capital and is 112 Miles
(180 Km) from Havana, this city exhibits ancient colonial mansions with
a very peculiar seal, with portals and columns of great variety. Because
of that the city is known as "the city of the portals".

These
tourists attractions are principally concentrated in "Valle de Viñales" one of the most beautiful
natural scenerys in Cuba, with has achieved the status of a Natural National Monument and located in an area of 132 sq. km in the "Sierra
de los Organos", is surounded by imposing round-topped mountains.

Throughout the length and breath of
Viñales there are natural paths for those who are interested
in observing more carefully the exuberant flora and fauna, to which
one adds the systems of caves and caverns such as Palmarito, El Indio
and Santo Tomas, the last one considered the largest in the Antilles
which is about 45 km. El Abra del Ancon, la Sierra del Infierno, el
Valle de las Dos Hermanas, El Hoyo de Jaruco and el Valle de San Vicente
are counted as plantations which grow some of the best tobacco in the
world. Moreover, in the botanical gardens of Caridad and in the rural
community of Los Acuaticos the inhabitants cure all diseases
with water.

In the oriental limits of the Guaniguanico
Mountain Ranges the Biosphere Reserve of Sierra del Rosario is located
in which are found 800 species of plants, 34% of which are endemic to
Cuba and the remaining species which inhabit the island. In addition
one encounters "el zunzun or pajaro mosca",
famous for being the smallest bird in the world, together with "tocororo"
and "pajaro carpintero". In this zone one discovers Soroa, the cradle of the main (orchidry) in Cuba,
in which 750 varieties - 250 of them indigineous- eagerly await visitors
with a kaleidoscope of colors and a perfumery of aroma. Additionally
Soroa offers an observatory, lush, overgrown paths through which one
could locate different animals and plants species, river tours, springs
with their famous waterfalls, and baths in its medical pools, complemented
by its access to the old ruins of french coffee plantations.

Rosario Mountains contain Las Terrazas Tourists Complex with the Moca Hotel and the Terrazas
Comunity dominated by amaizing landscapes, more than 800 species of
plant life and 73 types of birds in a protected area with the endemic
epecies achieve a high index of existence and the surrounding areas
contain thermal baths -sulphur and the natural springs-, waterfalls
and springs of the San Juan River, campsides, paths and routes.

In the most westerly part of Pinar del Río, is the Peninsula
of Guanahacabibes, which marks the limits of the island, in which is
found the national park with the same name and the natural reserves
"El Veral" and "Cabo Corrientes", in which numerous
caves and archeological remains and a coral reef in perfect condition,
ideal for diving is found. In that zone the Maria
La Gorda International Diving Center favors the practice of acuatic sports, where 8 km of fine cream-colored
sand and the cool calm cristal waters of the beach with the same name
tell of the legend of a corpulent woman called Maria, which was
taken there from Venezuela by a band of pirates who kidnapped her and
afterwards left her on this strip of land.

Located in the
south coast, inside one of the greater forest park in Cuba, It could
be find the International Center of Diving Maria la Gorda. This place,
considered one of the best place of diving in the island, have a clear
water beach with marvelous and peaceful bottom submarine.